The handwriting on the cover of the magazine was done by Virgil Abloh, the artistic director for Louis Vuitton, who has designed some of Williams’ athletic apparel.

According to GQ, Abloh is known for his use of quotation marks but many readers still wondered why the word woman appeared in quotations.

@GQMagazine Please explain to me why GQ Magazine’s Editorial Team felt that quote marks were necessary on the Serena Williams’ Woman of the Year Cover. I Really Really Need to Know. I’m Expecting an Answer😡🙄🤷🏽‍♀️🤔👎🏾👎🏾👎🏾👎🏾👎🏾 pic.twitter.com/qGNPNJI4Rq

Back in May, Williams opened up about being “called a man” because of her appearance.

“People would say I was born a guy, all because of my arms, or because I’m strong,” she told Harper’s Bazaar. “I was different to Venus: She was thin and tall and beautiful, and I am strong and muscular — and beautiful, but, you know, it was just totally different.”

She also penned an emotional letter on Reddit last year, in which she gave insight into dealing with her appearance being scrutinized since the age of 15.

“I’ve been called man because I appeared outwardly strong. It has been said that that I use drugs (No, I have always had far too much integrity to behave dishonestly in order to gain an advantage). It has been said I don’t belong in Women’s sports — that I belong in Men’s — because I look stronger than many other women do. (No, I just work hard and I was born with this bada** body and proud of it).”

Williams and GQ have yet to respond to the backlash from the cover as of this writing.